pandered; pandering
ˈpan-d(ə-)riŋ 
; panders
; panders
1
to say, do, or provide what someone (such as an audience) wants or demands even though it is not good, proper, reasonable, etc.
… ignores doing the right thing … in favor of pandering for votes.—
George Ochenski
—usually used with toGeorge Ochenski… used his brilliant gifts to pander to popular taste.—Hubert Saal
Hubert Saal… TV that panders to the worst in us.—Jill Parkin
Jill Parkin… a political chameleon trying to pander to voters …—Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith2
: to act as a pander (see pander entry 2 sense 2)
plural panders
1
a
: the act or an instance of pandering (see pander entry 1 sense 1)
Calling congressional leaders babies … is a pander to public opinion rather than an attempt to inform or lead it.—Josh Benson
Josh Benson… is among the worst films of the year, a shameless pander for awards recognition …—Jason Bailey
Jason Bailey
b
: someone who panders (see pander entry 1 sense 1)
… his primary goal is self promotion. He is a political pander.—Allison Hoffman
Allison Hoffman2
a
: a go-between in love intrigues
b
: pimp
Examples of pander in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Christine Ledbetter, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2025
That’s the Pixar difference—their films aren’t interested in pandering to children, but instead offer them new perspectives on the world that often appeal equally to adults.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 26 June 2025
This is a bad idea, grounded in pandering to voters.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 25 May 2025
David Edward Ornstein, 50, of Milwaukee, faces a misdemeanor charge of pandering.
—Ashley Luthern, jsonline.com, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pander
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Verb
Congress pandering to the president’s ego and megalomaniac desire for branding is nothing new.
—Christine Ledbetter, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2025
That’s the Pixar difference—their films aren’t interested in pandering to children, but instead offer them new perspectives on the world that often appeal equally to adults.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 26 June 2025
This is a bad idea, grounded in pandering to voters.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 25 May 2025
David Edward Ornstein, 50, of Milwaukee, faces a misdemeanor charge of pandering.
—Ashley Luthern, jsonline.com, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pander
Cite this Entry
“Pander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pander. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
pander
1 of 2 transitive verb
pan·der
ˈpan-dər
: to sell or distribute by pandering
had no protected right to pander prurient materials—Dunigan Enterprises v. DA for the Northern District, 415 N.E.2d 251 (1981)
Dunigan Enterprises v. DA for the Northern District, 415 N.E.2d 251 (1981)
: to engage in pandering
counts included…conspiracy to pander and receive the earnings of a prostitute—State v. Tocco, 750 P.2d 874 (1988)
State v. Tocco, 750 P.2d 874 (1988)pander
2 of 2 noun
: one who engages in pandering : panderer
Etymology
Noun
Middle English Pandare, character who procured for Troilus the love of Cressida in Troilus and Creseyde, poem by Geoffrey Chaucer (ca. 1342–1400)
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